Best Community Colleges in Maryland 2024
The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Maryland offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
10 Best Community Colleges in Maryland
- Anne Arundel Community College
- Montgomery College
- Cecil College
- Garrett College
- Community College of Baltimore County
- Prince George's Community College
- College of Southern Maryland
- Howard Community College
- Allegany College of Maryland
- Baltimore City Community College
- Anne Arundel Community College
- Montgomery College
- Cecil College
- Baltimore City Community College
- Prince George's Community College
- Community College of Baltimore County
- College of Southern Maryland
- Howard Community College
- Garrett College
- Hagerstown Community College
- Anne Arundel Community College 16 to 1
- College of Southern Maryland 16 to 1
- Frederick Community College 16 to 1
- Hagerstown Community College 16 to 1
- Prince George's Community College 16 to 1
- Montgomery College 16 to 1
- Chesapeake College 15 to 1
- Harford Community College 15 to 1
- Community College of Baltimore County 14 to 1
- Carroll Community College 14 to 1
- Garrett College $8,792
- Montgomery College $8,070
- Anne Arundel Community College $7,920
- Allegany College of Maryland $7,860
- Cecil College $7,290
- Howard Community College $6,939
- Frederick Community College $6,768
- Wor–Wic Community College $6,192
- Community College of Baltimore County $5,784
- College of Southern Maryland $5,760
- Carroll Community College
- Harford Community College
- Chesapeake College
- Hagerstown Community College
- Wor–Wic Community College
- Frederick Community College
- Baltimore City Community College
- Allegany College of Maryland
- Howard Community College
- College of Southern Maryland
- Carroll Community College
- Wor–Wic Community College
- Chesapeake College
- Allegany College of Maryland
- Harford Community College
- Frederick Community College
- Hagerstown Community College
- Garrett College
- Howard Community College
- College of Southern Maryland
- Allegany College of Maryland 11 to 1
- Wor–Wic Community College 12 to 1
- Cecil College 12 to 1
- Garrett College 12 to 1
- Baltimore City Community College 12 to 1
- Howard Community College 13 to 1
- Community College of Baltimore County 14 to 1
- Carroll Community College 14 to 1
- Chesapeake College 15 to 1
- Harford Community College 15 to 1
- Baltimore City Community College $2,640
- Prince George's Community College $5,016
- Chesapeake College $5,376
- Carroll Community College $5,496
- Harford Community College $5,520
- College of Southern Maryland $5,760
- Hagerstown Community College $5,760
- Community College of Baltimore County $5,784
- Wor–Wic Community College $6,192
- Frederick Community College $6,768
Colleges and Universities in Maryland
The Old Line State has 46 colleges and universities, 30 of which are public and 16 of which are private. The United States Naval Academy offers programs in physical sciences, aeronautical engineering, and naval architecture. The largest private institution, Johns Hopkins University, has just over 24,000 students and a tuition rate of $54,000. Located in Baltimore, this research university is known for its science and medical discoveries.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
The University of Maryland in College Park boasts over 35,000 students with a price tag of $11,000. The school has 15 campuses, and students can choose from areas of study like criminal justice, communications, physics, and sociology. The most affordable school in the state, Baltimore City Community College comes in at $3,000 and has 37 associate degree programs to choose from. Maryland also provides loan forgiveness programs for its residents, including those for dentists and public servants. Students can also check out the Maryland SmartBuy Home Buyer Assistance and Forgiveness Program, where eligible applicants can receive up to 15% of the home purchase price toward outstanding student loan, to be paid off as part of closing.
Maryland is a state bursting with history, from its numerous museums to its historic battlegrounds. Students who attend school in Maryland can explore the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park and walk the same streets as many influential Marylanders, including Francis Scott Key, Babe Ruth, Billie Holiday, and Thurgood Marshall.
Whether you’re looking to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, Maryland offers its students history, legacy, and numerous degree paths.
What are Maryland’s Colleges & Universities?
- 6 Research Universities
- 18 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 13 Graduate Schools
- 13 Public Colleges & Universities
- 11 Private Colleges & Universities
- 4 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 15 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 13 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 16 Community Colleges
- 7 Online Colleges
Maryland’s Best Overall
We’ve identified 16 community colleges in Maryland. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Maryland.
Best Community Colleges in Maryland
- #3 50 Best Community Colleges for Future Success in 2025 #1 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Maryland 2025 #3 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs
Other Rankings
- #6 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
- #7 Best Online Associate in General Studies
- #7 Best Online Associate in English
- #9 Best Online Associate in Human Resources
- #10 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #10 Best Online Associate in Finance
- #10 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #11 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #11 Best Online Associate in Psychology
- #18 Best Online Associate in Marketing
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
27%
Student body
15K
Career Outlook for degree at Anne Arundel Community College
Cost of Degree: $9,230Starting Salary: $42,200What is Anne Arundel Community College known for?
Anne Arundel Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #24 50 Best Community Colleges for Future Success in 2025 #2 Best Online Associate in Communications #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Maryland 2025 #4 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
28%
Student body
24K
Career Outlook for degree at Montgomery College
Cost of Degree: $10,254Starting Salary: $46,000What is Montgomery College known for?
Montgomery College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Sociology
- Communications
- Education
- Business
- Nursing
- Medical
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
28%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Cecil College
Cost of Degree: $8,310Starting Salary: $36,700What is Cecil College known for?
Cecil College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
32%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Garrett College
Cost of Degree: $9,996Expenses: $11,460Starting Salary: $31,600Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Garrett College known for?
Garrett College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #6 Best Schools for Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 2024 #1 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Maryland 2025 #5 Best Online Associate in Human Services
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
- #8 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #13 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
- #13 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs
- #15 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #16 Best Online Associate in Information Technology
- #16 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #17 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
- #17 Best Online Associate in English
- #18 Best Online Associate in Accounting
- #21 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #21 Best Online Associate in Psychology
- #22 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #9 Fastest Accelerated Online Associate's of Counseling Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
16%
Student body
23K
Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Baltimore County
Cost of Degree: $6,918Starting Salary: $38,700What is Community College of Baltimore County known for?
Community College of Baltimore County’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
17%
Student body
15K
Career Outlook for degree at Prince George's Community College
Cost of Degree: $6,194Starting Salary: $43,700What is Prince George's Community College known for?
Prince George's Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
32%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at College of Southern Maryland
Cost of Degree: $7,200Starting Salary: $40,600What is College of Southern Maryland known for?
College of Southern Maryland’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
23%
Student body
13K
Career Outlook for degree at Howard Community College
Cost of Degree: $7,704Starting Salary: $44,000What is Howard Community College known for?
Howard Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
35%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Allegany College of Maryland
Cost of Degree: $8,720Expenses: $16,476Starting Salary: $33,200Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Allegany College of Maryland known for?
Allegany College of Maryland’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Maryland 2025 #18 Best Online Associate in Human Services #24 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
10%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Baltimore City Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,314Starting Salary: $32,500What is Baltimore City Community College known for?
Baltimore City Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
33%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Frederick Community College
Cost of Degree: $7,444Starting Salary: $42,100What is Frederick Community College known for?
Frederick Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
20%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Wor–Wic Community College
Cost of Degree: $6,720Starting Salary: $31,400What is Wor–Wic Community College known for?
Wor–Wic Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
35%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Hagerstown Community College
Cost of Degree: $6,390Starting Salary: $37,000What is Hagerstown Community College known for?
Hagerstown Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
28%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Chesapeake College
Cost of Degree: $6,344Starting Salary: $31,200What is Chesapeake College known for?
Chesapeake College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
29%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Harford Community College
Cost of Degree: $6,168Starting Salary: $36,500What is Harford Community College known for?
Harford Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
42%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Carroll Community College
Cost of Degree: $6,918Starting Salary: $35,600What is Carroll Community College known for?
Carroll Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
- Montgomery College
- Baltimore City Community College
- Garrett College
- Hagerstown Community College
- College of Southern Maryland
- Chesapeake College
- Frederick Community College
- Carroll Community College
- Howard Community College
- Community College of Baltimore County
- Prince George's Community College
- Harford Community College
- Cecil College
- Wor–Wic Community College
- Allegany College of Maryland